Open access publications in the SLU publication database

Floricane and primo cane raspberries are grown organically in tunnels on
Rånna Experimental station and treated for raspberry leaf and bud mite,
Phyllocoptes gracilis and aphids, Aphis idaei, in 2012, 2013 and 2014. A
preliminary study conducted in autumn 2011 with treatments of raspberry
leaf and bud mite, in floricane raspberries, showed decreased number of
mites in winter buds after treatment with rape seed oil and soap, in high
concentration. During the trial years, the untreated part of the floricane
raspberries been heavily attacked by raspberry leaf and bud mite while the
treated part (Rape seed oil, FruktEffekt, and soap, Zence) seen relatively
healthy. The effect of treatments to raspberry leaf and bud mite during the
season of 2012 and 2013 was recorded as the number of mites in winter
buds on the canes and as the yield of berries (2012-2014). It was only in the
untreated part as overwintering mites were found. The cultivar Glen Ample,
has been most affected but has still provided the highest yield of class 1-
fruits carries from treated plants. Raspberry fruit worm, Byturus tomentosus
have occurred in single copies in the field trials and were captured in odour
traps in 2012-2014. In primo cane raspberries, there have been natural
infestation of aphids during cane and leaf development in May-June but
populations have declined substantially during July and then remained
relatively low during the harvest period in August-September. In the spring
of 2014 treatment with pyrethrum (Raptol) was omitted to benefit the
presence of aphids but despite that there were no major attacks during the
season 2014. The results for primo cane raspberries show no differences
between the untreated control and treatments with soap (Zence) and
maltodextrin (Eradicoat). From the present study we can conclude about
satisfactorily control of raspberry leaf and bud mite in production of organic
raspberries, using repeated treatments with two-percent oil / soap mixture
during the summer supplemented with autumn treatments with higher
concentration. Early treatment with pyrethrum at bud burst on floricanes and
primo canes gives adequate control of Aphis idaei. Biological control using
beneficial insects and mites has good opportunities in organic raspberry
production in plastic tunnels. Predatory mite as Phytoseiulus persimilis has
successfully controlled spider mites in the field trials.